"It's never easy to say goodbye, but I feel the time is right for me now," he said.

The 32-year-old transferred to play his club football in Athy in Kildare last year.

"With the injury and the travelling, it has been getting harder and harder," he said.

"I wanted to take this time to thank all the GAA community that supported me through the tough times and the good times. It's been an incredible journey and I have some unbelievable memories that I will never forget.

"It's time now to sit in the stand again and watch Tyrone win another All-Ireland and more importantly spending more time with the family and enjoy some club football."